Gabrielle Smith and Alli McGrath combined for 53 points, to power past Clarion (Pa.) University, 69-57, Wednesday afternoon at the Pitt Johnstown Sports Center. The Mountain Cats improved to 7-5 overall and 3-2 in the PSAC West. Clarion fell to 7-6 and 1-5 in Conference.

With 3:07 remaining in the first half, Smith converted on an old-fashioned 3-point play to give the Mountain cats an early, 16-12 lead. Pitt-Johnstown  pushed their lead to seven points when McGrath hit a jumper with 1:58 remaining in the first quarter.

Clarion's Yndiah Bobo knocked down a jump shot to bring the Golden Eagles within one, 24-23 .The Mountain Cats responded with a 12-0 run to close out the second quarter to make it 36-23 heading to halftime.

The Pitt-Johnstown opened up the third quarter with Smith finding an open Maurina Nunn for a 3-pointer to make it 39-23. Clarion answered with a 15-4 run to make it 43-38 Mountain Cats.

 The Mountain Cats pushed the lead back to double digits with 9:25 remaining in the fourth quarter with a Maddie Shanahan basket, to make it 53-43.
 
Offensively the Mountain Cats were led by Smith 28 points and eight rebounds. McGrath finished the night with 25 points, four rebounds, and three blocks. Shanahan finished the night with eight points and 10 rebounds.

Clarion was led in scoring by Kadijah Dickson's 15 points, Bobo ended with 14 points and Yasmin Lewis chipped in 10.
The Mountain Cats return to action Saturday afternoon when they travel to take on the Indiana (Pa.) Crimson Hawks, before traveling to Gannon University Jan. 9.